National security adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval had a high-level meeting with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi in Hyderabad on Friday to thrash out issues concerning bilateral ties.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval at an event in Mumbai.(HT File Photo)

National security adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval had a high-level meeting with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi in Hyderabad on Friday to thrash out issues concerning bilateral ties.

The meeting took place at the historic Falaknuma Palace in the Old City, part of which has been developed into a five-star hotel – Taj Falaknuma. Doval and Yang were accompanied by officials from both the countries. The meeting which began at 10am went on till 5pm, amidst tight security arrangements. Doval and Yang had last met in China in April.

Though the exact agenda of the meeting and its outcome was not known, it is believed that the delegations had open discussions on bilateral relations that have been under strain for the last few months.

India has been expressing concern over China’s resistance to its entry into the NSG and also stalling its efforts to get a UN ban on Masood Azhar, leader of the Pakistan-based terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad, who has been accused of masterminding the Mumbai terrorist attacks.

The issue of confrontation between Chinese and Indian troops at Ladakh over construction of an irrigation canal under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Mission (MNREGA) is also learnt to have come up during the discussions.

‘Retain LAC status quo’

Meanwhile, China on Friday said actions should not be taken by either side that may “unilaterally change” the status quo of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), as it refuted reports that its troops crossed over to the Indian side in Demchok area in Ladakh to stop the construction of a canal.

“I can tell you that the Chinese border troops have been operating on the Chinese side of the LAC. Although the China-India boundary is yet to be delimited, the two countries have reached many consensus and agreements on safeguarding peace and stability of the border area,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.